Timeline

Heritage classified

Key figures

Origin and history

The Lambert House, also known as the House of Columns, is an iconic Renaissance building located in Périgueux, Dordogne. Built in the first half of the 16th century, it is located in the preserved area of the city center, on the right bank of the Isle, and is part of the architectural complex of the Quais houses. Its current address is 17 boulevard Georges-Saumande, formerly directly accessible from the river before the construction of the imperial road in the 19th century.

The house derives its name from the Lambert family, a line of architects who occupied it in the 18th century. Classified as historic monuments in 1889 for its heritage value, the house features a south-east Renaissance façade decorated with a two-storey gallery, topped by a balustrade. At the back, the rue du Port de Graule reveals a more sober 14th century architecture, contrasting with the elegance of the main façade.

Despite its ranking, Lambert's house suffered from a prolonged lack of maintenance. As early as 1942, reports alerted her to her state of disrepair, and in 2020, a peril order was even made for the building adjacent to No. 19. Several rehabilitation projects have been planned since 2021 to transform the whole into high-quality housing, but their implementation has been postponed several times. In 2025, a new project planned work between 2026 and 2028 to create sixteen high-end apartments.

Attached to the Consuls' house, Lambert House illustrates the perigordin architectural heritage, mixing medieval and Renaissance influences. Its current state reflects the challenges of preserving private monuments, between heritage issues and economic constraints. The glitters and sculptures of the façade still bear witness to the know-how of the artisans of the time.

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